Dusk was falling when the orange tabby cat
Came to the road side wearing a tattered hat
With a cunning, doubtful look, both ways he eyed
In a wink of an eye, crossed to the other side
Street lamps’ golden light, lit the street for all
But the darkness thick, pooled behind the mall
Along the darkened alley the silent cat hip hopped
Near a scribbled wall with caution then he stopped
Minutes ticked away with no one in the sight
Dark shadows writhed and danced in the seeping light
The steel chain in his neck shone with a twinking glint
When a noise was heard he looked that way with a squint
Appeared from a nook, two eyes that glowed yellow
They moved in the darkness till those eyes meet the fellow
With a low and muffled voice they conversed in the dark
Then through a bright white smile a golden tooth sparked
Took one from his pocket a parcel tied with string
And passed it to the other, with some other thing
Together along the alley the two cats waddled away
And came to a clearing where a clowder was in play
Some were sniffing nip while some were staring blank
A tattooed cat keeled over an old rotting plank
A fatty was laughing alone while a skinny one caterwauled
Some were sleeping sound on the sidewalk limply sprawled
An unseen world of cats uncovering in the night
In darkened alleys and nooks where totally out of sight
Keep an eye on yours for you may never know
That innocent cat of yours might be a catnip smuggling pro